aquarist- recommended products for tank health

Aquarist-Approved Products for a Healthier Tank You’ll Wish You’d Known About Sooner

As an aquarist with over four decades of experience in keeping coldwater and tropical fish of many different species, I’ve learned that having a successful, thriving aquarium isn’t just about water and fish. This absorbing hobby is all about creating a harmonious, balanced ecosystem where every element, from the substrate to the lighting, contributes to … Read more

random but useful items for aquarists

7 Random-but-Useful Items Real Aquarists Swear By for Healthy Tanks

When it comes to aquarium equipment, almost everyone knows that a reliable filter and lighting are essential, as is an aquarium heater for tropical fish tanks. But other aquarium accessories can be incredibly useful, too! Here we’ll look at some of the most underrated bits of aquarium gear, and explain why you may wish you’d … Read more

thriving planted aquarium

Simple Habits of People Who Have a Thriving Planted Aquarium

Nothing sets off a tank full of beautiful tropical fish like a lush backdrop of healthy aquatic plants. But maintaining a thriving planted aquarium takes time, effort, and attention to detail. Don’t let that put you off! Even a complete beginner can successfully keep a planted fish tank, provided you choose types of plants that … Read more

how much aquarium lighting is too much

How Much Aquarium Lighting Is Too Much?

No matter what size of fish tank you have, some kind of aquarium lighting is essential for the health and growth of fish and plants in your setup. However, you must strike the right balance. Too much light can cause many issues, potentially impacting the well-being of your entire aquatic ecosystem. In this guide, I … Read more

self-cleaning fish tanks

Game Changer: How Self-cleaning Fish Tanks Saved My Weekends

Although a fish tank makes a beautiful focal point in any room and can be an absorbing and fulfilling hobby, there is a downside; you have to clean it every week! Keeping your aquarium clean is essential if you are to enjoy a healthy, thriving population of fish. In fact, many fish diseases are caused … Read more

Can Fishes Have Seizures

Can Fish Have Seizures? Everything You Need To Know

If you’ve seen your fish start convulsing, getting wobbly, or starting to tremor, you might have been concerned about what was happening – and rightly so! Well, there’s a good chance your fish could have been having a seizure. Although so rare that many fish keepers never encounter one, these can, in fact, happen, and … Read more

How Often To Change Fish Tank Water

How Often To Change Fish Tank Water in Your Aquarium

When I got my first aquarium twenty years ago, I just assumed that the filter would do most of the cleaning work and didn’t realize that I’d have to change the water frequently too! But I soon learned that partial water changes are a standard part of good aquarium maintenance. While aquarium filters perform an … Read more

how to stop overthinking aquarium design

How To Stop Overthinking Your Aquarium Design, According to Experts

When it comes to aquarium design, it’s easy for things to get over-complicated. Elaborate planting and fancy layouts might look impressive, but they also take considerable time, effort, and money to establish and maintain. Thankfully, a beautiful and effective aquarium design doesn’t have to be complicated. With a strong vision for what you want to … Read more

best $100 you can spend on your aquarium

I’m an Aquarist: The Best $100 You Can Spend On Your Tank

Purchasing an aquarium setup can be a daunting task. First, you need to choose the right tank, then the right substrate, lighting, heater, and filter before you can even consider plants, invertebrates, and fish! If all of this seems like a bit of a headache, you may be happy to hear about all-in-one aquarium kits! … Read more

Common Quarantine Procedure Mistakes

19 Common Quarantine Procedure Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

As an experienced tropical and coldwater fish keeper with over 40 years of experience, I can state with some authority that the best way to keep diseases and parasites out of your aquarium is by quarantining all new aquatic life before adding the newbies to your main tank. Now, you’d think that putting your livestock … Read more

Salt Water Tank Set Up

How To Set-Up A Saltwater Tank

Ready to take on the challenge of starting a saltwater tank? Don’t worry, we’re here to talk you through every step of the way. The truth is, saltwater isn’t much more difficult to maintain than a freshwater tank, especially if you don’t plan on keeping any demanding corals. The other half of the coin, however, … Read more

Water Mites in Fish Tank

Water Mites in Fish Tank: What Are These Tiny Bugs?

If you have discovered tiny bugs in your fish tank, you may (understandably) be worried. Fortunately, the bugs are probably water mites, and most species are harmless. Still, having mites in your aquarium could signal that something else is wrong, and water mite populations can get out of control quickly. Read this guide to learn … Read more

clean up crew

Putting Together the Perfect Clean Up Crew for Your Aquarium

Algae is an occupational hazard for aquarium hobbyists. Even a healthy fish tank has some of these green plants growing on the decorations, filter equipment, and viewing panes. Although algae won’t harm your fish, too much of the green stuff leaves your tank looking decidedly untidy. What can you do besides scrubbing your decorations and … Read more